Martyn Pig’s life goes from bad to worse when he accidentally kills his father, and he must choose whether to tell the police the truth about what happened and be suspected of murder, or he can get rid of the body and pretend nothing ever happened.

Liz says:

“ “This book is a great example of dark humor. It’s very entertaining and has a real twist. Kevin Brooks is an amazing author!”

While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken.

Liz says:

“Walter Dean Myers is one of the best authors for young adults. This is a masterpiece (note the 3 awards.) Myers used to be a journalist and interviewed a lot of criminals. In telling this story, Myers narrates the book in 2 totally distinct formats. We are shown Steve’s journal that he keeps in prison, allowing us to hear his voice and his inner thoughts. Then, we are shown a film transcript of the trial as recorded by Steve. Myers says that when he used to interview criminals they spoke of their crimes in the 3rd person and that is how he came up with the concept for this book. This, along with photographs by Myer’s son Christopher, makes for a poignant story of stereotypes and justice. This is a must read and I recommend it for 7th grade and up.”

Doug and Andy are unlikely best friends–one a loner obsessed by his model trains, the other a popular student involved in football and theatre–who grew up together and share a bond that nothing can sever.

Liz says:

“Haunted by an event in the past, this psychological drama is both poignant and gripping.”

After starting to publish a zine in which he writes his secret feelings about his lonely life and his parents’ divorce, sixteen-year-old John meets an unusual girl and begins to develop a healthier personality.

Liz says:

“John has such a real voice, you will think you actually know him. His parents are divorced and he lives with his mother outside of Boston and goes to his father’s apartment in Boston on weekends. John’s mother is loving but has a hard time showing it and his father is completely detached. He leaves John in the apartment while he goes out with his girlfriend – so much for quality time. John is so lonely he figures out a way to meet the author of his favorite zine (eclectic, homemade magazine). Through this very tough relationship, John learns about love and all the different ways it can manifest itself. In the end, he finds that hard love is better than no love at all!”

Through interviews and letters, tells the fictional story of two boys who hold their classmates hostage at a high school dance, and offers facts about guns and school violence throughout the story.

Liz says:

“Readers are shown the planning, implementation and aftermath of a school shooting from the perspectives of the shooters, students, teachers and faculty. This harrowing story is told intelligently and provides notes at the bottom of pages that offer startling facts about guns and school violence in this country.”

Seventeen-year-old Troy, depressed, suicidal, and weighing nearly three hundred pounds, gets a new perspective on life when Curt, a semi-homeless teen who is a genius on guitar, asks Troy to be the drummer in a rock band.

Liz says:

“This is one of my favorite books but it’s not for everyone. While it is ultimately a story of self-acceptance and family, it is also filled with gritty reality and harsh language. One of my favorite parts of this book is that Troy’s dad is so loving and real. More often than not, parents are portrayed unfavorably. This is an example where the dad comes through for his son and even for his troubled friend. Kids who love music will appreciate that aspect of the book and will understand that Curt is loosely based on Kurt Cobain. This is a very powerful story!”

When he joins a predominantly African American “Teen Dream Team” that will be representing the United States in an international basketball tournament in Rome, Jimmy Doyle makes some unexpected discoveries about prejudice, racism, and politics.

Liz says:

“Boys absolutely love this book and so do I. There are lots of great basketball scenes and many poignant moments. Jimmy and the other characters are believable and the story moves quickly.”